Tree camping, does anyone do it?

[pastymuncher]

Does anyone here camp/sleep in trees.
I'm not talking about tying a hammock to them at ground level, more high level camping on portaledges etc. Obviously requires climbing gear and a knowledge of how to use it, which I have btw.
I've seen a couple of websites in the U.S. that talk about it, but I've not heard of anybody in the U.K.
There are some nice big Beech trees nearby that I fancy having a go at.

This is just for recreational purposes before anyone starts talking about environmental protesters and the like.

 

[Shewie]

Can't say I've ever heard of it, I'll be interested to hear a bit more though

 

[TJRoots]

oh god just the idea terrifies me, i'm not good with heights, that wouldnt be a problem if i was VERY securely strapped in but i also have a major problem with being restrained. definately not one for me.

TJ

 

[jdlenton]

that sounds ace I've done my fair share of SRT so I'm interested as to what you get up to but never heard of it before sorry

 

[salan]

Arn't beech trees the ones that can drop branches and it is reccomended not to camp under them?
Alan

 

[_scorpio_]

Arn't beech trees the ones that can drop branches and it is reccomended not to camp under them?
Alan

i was going to say they are quite good at dropping big branches at the wrong time... i can see the benefit of being in a tree when there are wolves and stuff around but i dont think a rabbit attack is a good enough excuse

 

[addo]

Im giving it a go this year at some point.
I'll take my tree climbing gear and a buddy with his, and kip in the hamock with the harness clipped into the line with a good anchor point when sleeping.

There were folks in america, in the 70's doing this at the top of 300' redwoods so a 50' oak will be very nicely chilled.

No point to it mind, just a bit of fun. But, theres always the thought of making a stick raft and cover it in mud for a fire site in the tree.

 

[the laird]

Its always been somewhere on my list of things to do,let us know how you get on

 

[pastymuncher]

Im giving it a go this year at some point.
I'll take my tree climbing gear and a buddy with his, and kip in the hamock with the harness clipped into the line with a good anchor point when sleeping.

There were folks in america, in the 70's doing this at the top of 300' redwoods so a 50' oak will be very nicely chilled.

No point to it mind, just a bit of fun. But, theres always the thought of making a stick raft and cover it in mud for a fire site in the tree.

Let me know if you want another one along!

 

[pastymuncher]

Maybe I'll give the beech trees a miss then, there are some Oak and Conifers around as well.
I have a portaledge from my big wall climbing days, and would like to make some use of it.

 

[widu13]

i was going to say they are quite good at dropping big branches at the wrong time... i can see the benefit of being in a tree when there are wolves and stuff around but i dont think a rabbit attack is a good enough excuse

Good Lord man! Don't you watch the news!

Rabbit of Caerbannog

 

[SOAR]

It does sound good, always fancied it myself, I know alot of guys use these.

http://www.newtribe.com/TBhome.htm

I think I would just use my hammock and good anchor point and maybe strop on another branch aswell.
Addo mate if you fancy it mate give us a shout.

 

[Shewie]

Good Lord man! Don't you watch the news!

Rabbit of Caerbannog

Not seen that for years

Run away run away

 

[Peter_t]

i mite have to give that a go some day. i would definately keep my harness on in the hammock.
but i would be happy to sleep in a beech. i have worked in loads of them, you could jump up and down on them and they won't break off. if a branch is dodgy it is quite obvious close up, its not like some people say when branches snap off for no reason.

there was a program on last year called 'climbing the giants' where 3 guys climbed a huge eucaliptus and slept n it, some 80m i think.


pete

 

[silentpaddler]

I've seen those portaledge things and they are way cool, but not exactly a lightweight thing to hike with.....
and then for something completely different, there's Julia Butterfly Hill....

 

[Biker]

Like TJRots said: "You'll never get me up in one of those"

Not only do I toss and turn in my sleep but I'm also groggy when I wake up so stepping out of my hammock I'd need something good and stable underfoot. I'd even have reservations about using this:

Good luck folks. And thanks for the Monty Python memory lane.

"I soiled my armour!"

Genius!

 

[drewdunnrespect]

biker they are cool as hell would love to live in something like that

 

[Biker]

biker they are cool as hell would love to live in something like that

After you mate, "sleep well" Bwahahahahahahaa!

Yeah I can see the appeal, so I would too in some of those shown Here

Sorry for hijacking your thread. All the best sleeping in those trees

 

[pastymuncher]

Nice link Biker, if I was going to buy a house, that's the type I would want.

 

[John Fenna]

For our Scouts "Dragon Award" (a challenge badge for Welsh Scouts that involves sleeping in wierd places...including a certain hight off the deck) my Venture unit built a tree platform to sleep in...about 15' off the ground on the high side... I slept in my hammock slung from one of the branches...it was difficult to get in and out - so I took a pee bottle for the first time and became a convert!
In the morning I decided not to bother climbing back out of the hammock, through the tree and down (the chilli was insisting I got up) and did a "fingertip drop" from the support branch next to the hammock...it nearly sent my knees through my skull, my being heavier than I realised and the drop a long one...I should have "parachute rolled"...but forgot!
It feels wierd camping in a tree!